Library dumps valuable old medical books

Hundreds of important journals dating back to the early 19th century have been thrown away by Europe’s largest psychiatry library, including volumes signed by the doctor who founded its parent institution.

More than 50 scientists and students at the Institute of Psychiatry in London have signed a petition calling for the reorganisation of its library to be suspended, after books that appear to have belonged to Sir Frederick Mott were rescued from a skip.

Another discarded book includes an original article by Carl Gustav Jung, who collaborated with Sigmund Freud.

Marco Catani, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute who rescued many of the older books, questioned the decision to throw the documents out without attempting to sell them.